Caitlynn Begley | The Chronicle
No high school team has ever spent $40,000 on a volleyball match. This fall 2026, Mason became a part of this newly formed event.
Mason High School (MHS) Girls Volleyball planned to step into territory historically reserved just for football teams. The Volley Under the Lights match was set up on Yeager football field at Bishop Fenwick High School. The Falcons bought a mobile volleyball court large enough to take up a quarter of the football field. On the side of the court toward the center of the stadium, bleachers were set up so all fans could see the action of the game up close. The Joe Burrow Foundation supported the event, helping to fund the court, outdoor activities beforehand and food trucks at the venue.
Because outdoor games are not the norm, Fenwick Athletics first had to get approval from the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) before the event could happen. Fenwick Girls Volleyball head coach Tyler Conley hoped that this year’s Volley Under the Lights match would be worth all the planning, and just as exciting for the community and players as it was last year.
Libero Ella Groff serves in Volley Under the Lights game against Fenwick.
“The court itself cost nearly $40,000,” Conley said. “We were able to split that cost out over two years. Because of this, we now own the court and have every intention of making this an annual event.”
This game is unlike anything else on the Mason girls’ schedules. To start, they would be playing outside; weather conditions and the feel of the court are all unknown to Mason players.
Small changes to the atmosphere can impact the performance of an athlete. Going from the concrete walls of a gym to the packed stands of a football field can affect the team’s communication and overall performance. Coach Conley said that Yeager Field was projected to have more than 3,000 fans; the Comets had never faced an audience that large. Athletes might feel the pressure of the moment which is why MHS Girls Volleyball Head Coach Eric Schatzle said he wanted to approach this game like any other.
The Volley Under the Lights match involved numerous unknowns and unpredictable moments. Uncontrollable factors can mess up the most routine parts of the game. Wind can change the direction of a serve, and a stadium means no ceilings for players to easily judge out of bounds. However, when talking to Conley about the prospect of Mason playing at the event this year, Schatzle did not hesitate.
“I was like, ‘I don’t know if I need clearance for it, but I will 100% commit to it right now,’” Schatzle said.
Ella Groff is a junior libero on the MHS Girls Volleyball team and has played every set of the season thus far, growing into a leader on the team. Groff said she looks forward to high energy of the atmosphere.
“I’m most excited for the big crowd and being on the football field in general,” Groff said. “That isn’t something that girls, especially volleyball players, get to experience very often.”
Groff said she is anticipating the large turnout and hopes this can give audiences a better appreciation for the sport.
“I feel like having such a unique game on a Saturday night will ensure a crowd that we wouldn’t normally get,” Groff said. “I think this gives us a chance to prove that volleyball can be exciting and fun to watch too.”
Organizers expected roughly 3,000 fans, meaning this game would have a far larger impact for the players than a typical weekday match. Due to the unprecedented nature of the event, local press featured how unique an opportunity this was for the players and schools, bringing more press, photographers and pressure for the players.
Freshman Sophia Barcenas makes a play at the net in game on Saturday, September 12.
Due to weather and the condition of the outdoor court, the Comets and Falcons had to pivot and play the Volley Under the Lights match inside. The junior varsity team was able to play their game on the outdoor court, but the court became slippery due to humidity, and the varsity match had to be relocated. The location change did not stop the high energy around the game. 3,000 fans still showed up for their teams and packed the gym.
While the Comets lost the match, the scores were close and Mason battled throughout all four sets. The Falcons won the first set 25-17, and the second set was taken by the Comets 25-20. The Falcons rallied in the third set, starting out in an early lead. Experienced players for the Comets shifted the momentum late in the set, with key plays from Avery Brannon, Preslie Evans and Leah Hugenberg. The Falcons took the third set 25-23. Fenwick won the fourth set, closed the game out 3-1.
The rain may have forced the game indoors, but it could not wash away what this night meant, the first chapter of a tradition Mason and Fenwick both hope to outlast any forecast.
Women’s sports have gained popularity in the past couple of years; the WNBA growing in popularity, as well as the National Women’s Soccer Team who will be playing in the next World Cup. Entertainment and Sports Programming Network (ESPN) has recently added coverage of collegiate women’s volleyball, and with that comes more eyes, more fans and more pressure. That same energy is starting to trickle down to the high school level. Volley Under the Lights creates a platform that allows these athletes to display their talents on a larger stage than ever before.
Volleyball’s growth at higher levels has opened doors for the Comets, this event modeled after collegiate teams playing in football stadiums. Groff said that players such as Lexi Rodriguez, a professional volleyball player for League One Volleyball Nebraska, have been inspirational for young competitors such as herself thanks to social media. Collegiate and professional players now post videos of their games and raise visibility and popularity of the sport.
“There’s regular season matches on ABC and ESPN now,” Schatzle said. “I feel like it’s blowing up even more, which is really cool to see.”
(Left to right) Outside hitters Brooklyn Meinberg and Preslie Evans celebrate after a point in Mason’s match against Fenwick on September 12.
Although the Comets did not get the chance to play their first Volley Under the Lights match in the football stadium, the impact of the game would not be dampened by the rain. The Comets put on a strong performance and showed fans the excitement and energy that volleyball can rally.
“We got everyone to show up and they supported us, and we showed them a great game,” Groff said. “I feel like they can see that [impact] and that volleyball is growing in general.”
